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Mount Yonah Sunset and Moonrise




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Chattahoochee National Forest, Cleveland, GA   Hike: Mount Yonah Sunset and Moonrise  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Wed, Feb 8 2012  2:30 pm >> Wed, Feb 8 2012 10:00 pm  (Carpool Departure: 1:15 pm   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Mon, Jan 9 2012 9:15 pm
Registration Cut Off: Tue, Feb 7 2012 7:00 pm
Event Duration:Per Itinerary
Difficulty Rating:D4: Moderate to Difficult
Distance:5 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Tony C
Richard K
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:10
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 8 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:
(Note:  This is the rescheduled hike from January)

This another in the Summit Sunset Series where we will enjoy sunsets from some of the finest scenic viewpoints...all on or near mountain peaks. If you've never had this experience, you don't know what you're missing, so time to find out...

Ok catching a good moonrise is much more elusive than a sunset as there are only two or three days a month when the moon is close enough to full, and comes up at the right time. Also, you obviously need clear enough skies to see it. And you can't have too much haze or smog on the horizon or that decreases the visibility and impact. So really only a few good opportunities each winter (with the cool, dry, clear air) and we will roll the dice and give it a shot with this one.

I usually lead this hike as a D3 lately but making it D4 this time because it is January and could be pretty cold. But this not a D4 "fitness hike" and the pace will be very moderate starting out. However there are a couple of places where you can go ahead and really hit it hard if you are so inclined. We will keep the group together on all the downhill sections though. But with about 1500' of elevation gain, you will get a good workout no matter what.

We will also check out "The Boulder" and then perhaps go over to the base of the rock climbing wall if conditions are dry enough. This involves some light scrambling but nothing major, and we come back the same way. So if you want to skip this part and wait for the rest of the group, then that's fine. We will take a long break at a rock outcropping for anyone who would like a shot at this very photogenic spot (see pic below).....and then head to the summit, a peaceful clearing surrounded by a ring of trees. 

Then we will head back up to the western side of the mtn to watch the sunset at 6:15PM.

After this, we have 71 min to wait for the moonrise at 7:26 PM.  If it's too cold and we want to keep moving, we can head down a bit to wait at the staging area that the military uses when they train there..should be warmer than the summit. Although it might be comfortable to hang out near the top. In that case, we can just enjoy the nighttime views and the starlight above and the surrounding lights below. But you definitely need to bring some extra layers, hat, gloves, scarf, etc for this hike.

We will watch the moonrise from a little overlook that requires 1/10th of a mile of off-trail hiking. While this is technically bushwhacking, the terrain is fairly open and very easy to get over there and back.

But with the moonrise at 7:26, figure we will head down at about 7:40 and then be back to the cars at around 8:20. Then about a 75 min drive back so not back to the carpool until around 9:45PM (assuming you don't stop for dinner on the drive home ... no official plans for that but depends on what each car wants to do).

Note that this event is very weather dependent and could be canceled (or rescheduled) if the forecast is for rain or for overcast skies. We could always try again the next day on Feb 9 if weather derails this one.

 



 





Required Items to Bring:
  • headlamp/flashlight
  • emergency rain gear (even if chance of rain is minimal)
  • winter clothing (hat, gloves, etc)
  • water
  • trail snacks/lunch
  • hiking boots or trail shoes
    		• Recommended Items to Bring:
    Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
  • trekking poles / hiking stick
  • camera

    • How to Get There:
    Event Directions:

    Directions will be given at carpool or via email or those "meeting at event".

    Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):130Mile(s)
    Carpool Departure Time: 1:15 pm
    Carpool Location:   Log in for location
    Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
    Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $52.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

    Notes:
    - The last half mile of the drive to the trailhead is on a well maintained gravel road.


    * We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

    Cost Includes:

    Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
    *Note: